Teens to offer substance abuse solutions at Youth Forum

WOOD RIVER — The 2015 Madison County Youth Forum will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom. This event is open to the public.

The forum is possible through coordination with Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honor Society – SIUE, Madison County Health Department, Madison County Regional Office of Education, Madison County Schools, Madison County Youth Board and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.

The forum gives youth a voice in identifying problems and developing solutions related the topic. The theme for this year’s forum is “Hugs Not Drugs,” focusing on issues related to substance abuse. All public and parochial Madison County high schools were invited to participate by sending a cross-section of students representing Madison County schools and communities. Participating schools include Alton High School, Civic Memorial High School, Collinsville High School, East Alton-Wood River High School, Edwardsville High School, Granite City High School, Madison High School, Roxana High School and Triad High School.

The forum provides an opportunity for teenagers to discuss issues affecting them.

Prior to the forum, schools participated in focus groups to identify problems related to substance abuse. Focus group data was analyzed to determine which drugs should be the focus of the discussion groups. Groups will focus on developing recommendations for solutions for access to and influences on alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and prescription drugs.

The students will be welcomed by Huaibo Xin, Ph.D., of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. During the afternoon, students will hear an informational and motivational presentation from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons to inform them of key topic points and engage them in the process of voicing their concerns and creating solutions. The youth participants will spend most of the afternoon in small groups led by Madison County Youth Board members and college students from Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education Honor Society at SIUE creating solutions to the identified problems. In the evening, the students will present their problem statements and recommended solutions to a designated panel of local officials and the community. The evening session is open to the public.

“We encourage everyone in the community to attend the evening session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SIUE Meridian Ballroom to hear what the youth have to say and become part of the movement to help make changes for our youth in Madison County,” Yeager said. “The best way for these problems to be resolved is to engage youth, citizens, parents, community leaders, and schools in the process and work together for the solutions.”

Prior forums have been successful for changing and enacting policies such as the zero tolerance law (state youth alcohol forum), breathalyzers at local proms, successful passage of community tobacco ordinances, an attempted passage of a county tobacco ordinance, a potential state bill, the initial development of a county teen center, collaboration with the Madison County sheriff on underage drinking issues, including the anonymous tipline (618-296-3000) to report underage drinking and parties, and changes in county and school policy. Last year’s forum encouraged the Madison County Youth Board to focus on an initiative to increase water consumption among high school students. As a result, Edwardsville High School, Granite City High School and Triad High School piloted the initiative with an assessment at the school level and the development and implementation of a plan specific for their school. The plans varied from working with administrators to consider policy changes, surveys, campaigns for refillable water stations, requests to increase water information in the curriculum, and hosting a Water Week to increase awareness and action. Student forums also shift social norms, dispel myths and generate conversations about problems that often are ignored.

All community members are encouraged to attend the Speakout Session from 6: p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom, to become part of the solution by working with the youth and community leaders to make a difference in Madison County.